6S 



Marvels of Insect Life. 



Photo by] 



lichen, so that it closely resembles 

 its surroundings, and cannot be 

 found easily until long after the moth 

 has emerged. This cocoon is hard 

 and thick, like that of the puss- 

 moth, but in this case the chrysalis 

 has a special method of preparing a 

 way out before it becomes a moth. 

 If the front part of the brown and 

 black chrysalis be examined, it will 

 be seen that on the centre line in 

 front of the head there is a short 

 but very acute point, and this 

 properly directed becomes a very 

 efficient instrument for the moth's 

 release. Dr. Chapman speaks of this 

 spine as a " sardine-opener," a term 

 which aptly indicates its use. By 

 rotating the fore-part of its body 

 laterally (the hind-body being 



[H. Baslm 

 The Dragon-Moth. 



This moth, which is common in many parts of the Continent, is remarkable • J U ' aU 1 f +1-. 



chieflyonaccountof the strange form'of the caterpiUar, and by reason of the grippeCl Dy tnC ClOSenCSS 01 tnC 



means adopted bv the chr>'sahs for cutting through the hard cocoon for the » ,■•' ■ , - 



release of the m'oth. These points are made plain in other photographs. COCOOnj tnC SpmC traVCrSeS an OVaJ 



line in the top of the cocoon over and over again, until the material is so far cut 

 through that it yields to a slight pressure from the head of the moth. It comes out 

 as a clean-cut 

 door, and falls 

 back into its 

 former position 

 as soon as the 

 moth has got free. 

 This is due to the 

 fact that a few 

 wisps of silk are 

 left at one part to 

 act as a hinge ; but 

 why does not 

 appear. The door 

 closes so accurate- 

 ly that there is 

 nothing to indi- 

 cate that the 

 cocoon is empty, 

 and it is not until 

 some time later 

 that the doors 



I'liolo by] 



The Cocoon of the Dragon-Moth. 



the right is a cocoon still attached to the bark and intact. To the left is another that has been 



1 



removed, and from which the moth has emerged. 



opener " is seen attached by its hinge. 



The portion cut out by the aid of the " tin- 



